Support construction



Sept. 3, 1963 w, s p s 3,102,616

SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 51, 1961 INVENTOR WILLIAM SIMPKINS CMQM.M

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Missouri Filed Aug. 31, 1961, Ser. No.135,255 14 Claims. (Cl. 189-36) This invention relates generally toimprovements in a support construction, and more particularly tounprovements in the structural arrangement of a leg with connectingbraces.

It is an important object to provide a simplified construction in asupport that is especially adapted for use in items of oilice andhousehold furniture such as stands, chairs and tables. Of course, thesupport could have a wide variety of applications. The structure of thesupport includes a novel and advantageous manner of connecting variousbraces and struts to the legs so as to afford an extremely rigid andprecise attachment of great strength. I

An important objective is to achieve a support in which the sheetmaterial of a brace is utilized to position, hold and secure a leg, andalso is utilized to form an integral gusset between the brace and aconnected strut. Another important object is realized by the provisionof a support of the type described in which a brace is provided whichhas spaced side walls and an interconnecting transverse wall, and a legis disposed between the side walls and adjacent one end of thetransverse wall, one of the side walls including a portion wrappedpartially about the leg and folded to provide a gusset margin about theremainder of the leg. Still another important object is provided by thefact that the one side wall includes a first portion extending laterallybeyond the other side wall at the opposite side of the brace, and asecond portion folded back from the first portion to lap the transversewall, the second portion having margins that embrace the leg. The firstand second portions are angularly related to provide a mounting for astrut extending between a pair of such legs and to provide a rigidgusset between the connected strut and brace immediately adjacent theleg positioned in the brace. I

Yet another important object is achieved by the specific juxtapositionof the angularly related portions discussed above that form a holder fora leg, a mounting for a strut, and a rigid gusset between the brace,strut and leg.

The structure includes a brace that has one side wall bent laterally toprovide a substantially vertical portion partially embracing the leg andextending beyond the other side Wall of the brace, and then bent backangularly relative to the substantially vertical portion to provide asubstantially horizontal portion having margins .that embrace the leg,the substantially horizontal portion lapping the transverse wall of thebrace.

Another important object is to provide a fastening means for securingthe strut to the angularly related por tions, the means cooperating withthe particular structural arrangement of the various parts to afford acornpact, extremely rigid connection.

An important objective is to provide a support that is simple anddurable in construction, economical to manufacture and assemble,efiicient in its connection, and which can be conveniently andadvantageously utilized in many items, and being particularly useful inoflice furniture such as typewriter standsto give but one example.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of theinventionwill more clearly appear from thefollowing detailed descriptionof a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a support utilized in a stand;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view as seen along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a sheet layout of the brace,and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the brace and its connected leg, butshowing the strut and fastening means exploded for reasons of clarity.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first toFIG. 4, it is seen that the brace generally indicated at 10 isconstructed of a sheet metal and is formed in a channel or U-shape. Thebrace 10 includes laterally spaced, substantially vertical sidewalls 11and 12 interconnected at the top integrally by a bridging, transversewall 13.

A leg generally referred to at 14 is disposed adjacent one end of brace10, and is particularly located between the side walls 11 and 12immediately adjacent an end margin 15 of the transverse wall 13. It willbe noted that the leg 14 extends through the open bottom of brace 10 sothat it can rest upon a supporting subjacent surface such as a floor ifdesired. While the leg 14 can be of any external configuration, in thepreferred embodiment illustrated, the leg 14 has generally four sides,i.e., a first side 16, a second side 17, a third side 24) and a fourthside 21 to which reference will be made in relating the position of thevarious folded portions of the brace 10 to the leg.

For example, when the leg 14 is positioned between the side Walls 11 and12, the end margin 15 of the transverse wall 13 is located closelyadjacent and contiguous to the first wall 16of leg 14. Each of the sidewalls 11 and 12 is extended beyond the end margin 15 of transverse wall13 so as to embrace the opposite sides 21 and 17 respectively of the leg14.

One of the side walls 12 is bent laterally about a substantiallyvertical fold line 22 to provide a substantially vertical plate portion23 that embraces the third side 20 of leg 14. The plate portion 23extends toward and beyond the other side wall 11 for a considerabledistance at the opposite side of the brace 10.

A second plate portion 24, formed integrally with the first plateportion 23, is folded back about a substantially horizontal fold line 25to provide a sustantially horizontal gusset. The substantiallyhorizontal plat-e portion 24 includes mangins 26 and 27 that embrace thefourth leg side 21 and the first leg side 16 respectively. A part 30 ofthe gusset plate portion 24 overlaps and seats on the transverse wall13.

After the leg 14 is inserted into the top opening provided by the foldeddisposition of the angularly related plate portions 23 and 24, the leg14 is automatically positioned between the side walls 11 and 12 and issecured to the brace 1d as by spot welding.

The structure of the brace end is shown in sheet layout in FIG. 3. The"arious integral parts of the brace structure are given referencecharacters corresponding to those utilized in FIG. 4 so that it can beeasily determined just how the brace 10 is constructed and folded toachieve the end connection shown in FIG. 4.

As will appear upon later detailed description of parts, the standwillusually include another corner and leg connection of the typepreviously described, and as shown in FIG. 1. To connect these cornerconnections, a strut 31 is used. The strut 31 is a right angle memberthat is disposed over the angularly related plate portions 23 and 24,the "fold line 25 aligning itself with the apex of the angle strut. Thestrut 31 is provided with a small I aperture 32 that is in register witha corresponding aperture 33 formed in the apex or juncture of the plateportions 23 and 24, when the strut 31 is assembled.

A bolt 34 is inserted through the aligned apertures 32 and 33 incidentto [fastening the strut 31 to the brace 10. The bolt 34- is providedWith a right angular head 35 adapted to seat on and conform to theconfiguration of angle strut 31. r

A thrust plate 36 is provided with a center opening 37 adapted toreceive the shank of bolt 34. When positioned, the thrust plate 36bridges the angularly related plate portions 23 and 245. To facilitateclamping engagement, the thrust plate 36 is provided with angularlyrelated fiat surfaces 40 and 41 adapted to seat on the underside of theplate portions 23 and 24 respectively.

A nut 42 and washer 43 are adapted to be fitted over the free end ofbolt 34. When the nut 42 is threadedly attached, the strut 31 is clampedrigidly to the angularly related plate portions 23 and 24 between theangle head 35 and thrust plate 36.

From FIG. 1 it is seen how the strut 31 is utilized to interconnect apair of corner leg structures. The other 1 corner structuresconstituting a part of the support construotion may be the same ordifferent depending solely upon the desires and requirement for theparticular item in which the support is used.

It is thought that the functional advantages of the support constructionhave become tfully apparent lrom the (foregoing detailed description ofparts, but for completeness of disclosure the assembly will be briefiydescribed.

"It will be assumed that the sheet material comprising a top openingthrough which (the leg 14- is inserted.

When leg 14 is positioned, the leg '14 is secured in place by spotWelding to either the plate portion 23 or the side Walls 11 and 12.

After a pair of corner structures are assembled in the manner outlinedabove, they are disposed with their angularly related plate portions 23and 24 extending toward each other as is illustrated in FIG. I. Thesecorner structures are then interconnected by a strut 31. Each end ofstrut 31 is fitted over the angularly related plate portions 23 and 24of one of the corner structures. Each end of the strut 31 is fixed inposition by inserting a. bolt 34 through aligned apertures 32 and 33,slipping a thrust plate 36 over the free end of bolt 34, and threadedlyattaching a nut 42 to the bolt.34. As explained previously, upontightening the nut 42, the strut 31 and the plate portions 23 and 24 areclamped between the angle bolt head 35 and the thrust plate 36.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed referenceto' a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in aninstructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants beingpossible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

1 claim as my invention:

1. In a support, a brace having spaced side Walls and an interconnectingtransverse wall, a leg disposed between said side vvalls and adjacentsaid transverse Wall, one of said side Walls including a portionlaterally Wrapped partially about said leg and extending beyond the saidother side Wall at the other side of said brace, said side wall portionbeing folded back on said brace to provide an edge about said leg, thesaid folded side wall portion lapping said transverse wall.

2. In a support, a brace having spaced side walls and an interconnectingtransverse wall, a leg disposed between said side walls and adjacent oneend of said trans verse one of said side walls extending beyond the endof said transverse wall, said one side wall including a first portionwrapped partially about said leg and extending laterally beyond theother side wall at the opposite side of said brace, and including asecond portion folded back from the said first portion to lap the saidtransverse wall, said second portion having a margin that embraces thesaid leg.

3. In a support, a brace having spaced side walls and an interconnectingtransverse Wall, a leg disposed between said side wallsan'd adjacentsaid transverse wall, one of said side walls including a first portionWrapped partially about said leg and extending laterally beyond theother side wall at the other side of said brace, and including a secondportion folded back from and angularly related to the said first portionto lap the said trans verse wall, said second portion having a marginthat embraces the said leg, an angle strut disposed along the foldbetween the angularly related first and second portions, and fasteningmeans extending through the apex of said angle strut and said portions.

4. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above in claim3, but characterized in that the said fastening means includes a boltextending through the apex of said angle strut and said portions, saidbolt including an angle head seating on said angle strut, a thrust plateon said bolt bridging and engaging the said angularly related portions,and a nut threadedly received on said bolt clamping the said angle strutand said portions between the bolt head and thrust plate.

5. In a support, a brace having spaced substantially vertical side wallsand an interconnecting transverse wall, a leg disposed between said sidewalls and adjacent said transverse wall, one of said side Walls beingbent laterally to provide a substantially vertical portion partiallyembracing said leg and extending beyond the other side wall at theopposite side of the brace, and being bent back angularly relative tosaid substantially vertical portion to provide a substantiallyhorizontal portion having a margin that embraces said leg, saidsubstantially horizontal portion lapping said transverse wall.

6. In a support, a brace having spaced, substantially vertical sidewalls and an interconnecting transverse wall, a leg disposed betweensaid side walls and adjacent said transverse wall, one of said sidewalls being bent laterally about a substantially vertical fold line toprovide a substantially vertical portion partially embracing said legand extending beyond the other side wall at the opposite side or thebrace, and being bent back about a substantially horizontal fold lineangularly relative to said substantially vertical portion to provide asubstantially horizontal portion having a margin that embraces said leg,said substantially horizontal portion lapping said transverse wall, anda strut fastened to said portions.

7. In a support, a brace having spaced, substantially vertical sidewalls and an interconnecting transverse wall, a substantially verticalleg disposed between said side walls, the transverse wall embracing apart of said leg,

said side walls embracing opposite parts of said leg adjacent saidtransverse wall, one or said side walls being bent laterally to providea substantially vertical portion embracing a part of said leg oppositethe pan: embraced by said transverse wall, and being bent back angularlyrelative to said substantially vertical portion to provide asubstantially horizontal portion having a margin that embraces the leg,said substantially horizontal portion lapping said transverse 8. In asupport, a brace having spaced, substantially vertical side walls and aninterconnecting transverse Wall, a substantially vertical leghavinggenerally tour sides disposed between said side walls, the transversewall embracing a first side of said leg, one of said side wallsembracing a second side of said leg adjacent the said first side, theother side wall embracing a third side of said leg opposite said secondside, said one side wall being bent laterally to provide a substantiallyvertical portion embracing a fourth side of said leg opposite the saidfirst side, and being bent back angularly relative to said substantiallyvertical portion to provide a substantially horizontal portion having amargin that embraces the said second and first sides of said leg, saidsubstantially horizontal portion lapping said transverse wall.

9. In a support, a brace having spaced substantially vertical side wallsand an interconnecting transverse wall, said side walls extending fromthe end of said transverse wall, one of said side Walls being bentlaterally to pro vide a substantially vertical portion extending towardand beyond the other side wall, and being bent back to provide asubstantially horizontal portion having a margin adjacent the said otherside Wall, said substantially hori zontal portion lapping saidtransverse wall, the said side walls and transverse wall providing anopening, a leg disposed in said opening and located between said sidewalls, and means securing said leg to one of said side walls.

10. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above inclaim 9, but further characterized by the provision of an angle strutdisposed along the fold between the angularly related, substantiallyvertical and horizontal portions, a bolt extending through the apex ofsaid angle strut and said portions, said bolt having an angle headseating on said angle member, a thrust plate on said bolt bridging andengaging said portions, and a nut on said bolt clamping the angle strutand portions between the bolt head and thrust plate.

11. In a support, a brace having spaced substantially vertical sideWalls and an interconnecting transverse wall, a substantially verticalleg having generally four sides disposed between said side walls, thetransverse wall embracing a first side of said leg, one of said sidewalls embracing a second side of said leg adjacent the said first side,said one side wall being bent laterally along a substantially verticalfold line to provide a substantially verrtical portion extending towardand beyond the other side wall, said substantially vertical portionembracing a third side of said leg adjacent the said second side, saidone side wall being bent back angularly relative to said substantiallyvertical portion along a substantially horizontal fold line to provide asubstantially horizontal portion having a margin that embraces a fourthside of said leg adjacent the said third side aud embraces the saidfirst side of the leg, said substantially horizontal portion lappingsaid transverse wall, the said other side wall of said brace embracingthe said founth side of said leg, and means securing said leg to one ofsaid side walls.

12. The combination :and arrangement of elements as recited above inclaim 11, but further characterized by the provision of an angle strutdisposed along the substantially horizontal fold line between theangularly re lated, substantially vertical and horizontal portions, saidangle member seating on said portions, and fastening means extendingthrough the apex of said angle strut and said portions to secure theangle strut to said brace.

13. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above inclaim 12, but further characterized in that said fastening meansincludes a bolt extending through the apex of said angle strut and saidportions, said bolt having an angle head seating on said angle strut, athrust plate on said bolt bridging and seating on the said portions, anda nut on said bolt clamping the said angle strut and said portionsbetween the said angle head and said thrust plate.

14. In a support, a first member having spaced side walls and aninterconnecting transverse wall, said side walls extending from the endof said transverse wall, one of said side walls being bent laterally toprovide a first portion extending toward and beyond the other side wall,and being bent back to provide a second portion having a margin adjacentthe said other side wall, the said second portion lapping saidtransverse wall, the said side walls and transverse wall providing anopening, a second member disposed in said opening and located betweensaid side walls, and means securing said second member to said firstmember.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,214,738 Wolf Feb. 6, 1917 1,807,186 Warner May 26, 1931 2,230,889McArthur Feb. 4, 1941

1. IN A SUPPORT, A BRACE HAVING SPACED SIDE WALLS AND AN INTERCONNECTINGTRANSVERSE WALL, A LEG DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS AND ADJACENTSAID TRANSVERSE WALL, ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS INCLUDING A PORTIONLATERALLY WRAPPED PARTIALLY ABOUT SAID LEG AND EXTENDING BEYOND